Businesses that came & went in Wellesley in 2015

The only predictable thing about the yearly changeover of some Wellesley shops and businesses is that it will happen. It’s anyone’s guess, and a somewhat popular parlor game in town, as to what will close and what will or should come in. This past year, the retail landscape’s significant changes were highlighted by the opening of yet another spot to satisfy your frozen-treat craving and the closing of a much-loved toy shop.

Also on the restaurant front, La Riviera Gourmet cafe at 390 Washington St., closed mid-summer, and the space remains vacant. The business, however, continues to offer catering services to some local schools and the Council on Aging.

Recently, Wellesley Hills train station building tenants A Z Fine Arts and Jaylin Cleaners cleared out after 10 and 20 years, respectively, in that space. Almost before the last shirt was pressed, the interior of the space was gutted, perhaps reassuring those in town who expressed concern that the historic structure was a sitting duck for the bulldozer.

Pop-up store Wears Woody in Wellesley Square at 50 Central St. will hang with us through the end of the year, providing shoppers with its “bold coastal style” casual clothing. I, for one, will miss the classic woody wagon they’ve kept parked in front of the store, even though it has taken up valuable Square parking.